CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Military equipment operated here in West Virginia will soon be on the front lines of the war in Ukraine.

The West Virginia National Guard will contribute an undisclosed number of M-113 armored personnel carriers to the federal government’s efforts to bolster Ukraine’s national defense against the Russian onslaught.

“It’s part of President Biden’s $800 million military assistance package. All of this equipment is federal equipment, of course the governor can come in and say we need it for the state response, but the Governor agreed with that as soon as the request came in,” said Gen. Bill Crane, Adjutant General of West Virginia.

Gov. Jim Justice has spoken about the allocation in recent days and strongly supported the commitment of West Virginia National Guard equipment to the conflict. Crane was also supportive of the idea.

“We cannot repeat the history of World War II and allow a tyrant to take over another country. I much prefer that we provide the equipment and supplies to enable this country to defend itself in hopes that we don’t have to send our sons and daughters over there if this thing ever gets bigger” , Crane said during an appearance on MetroNews. Talkline.

West Virginia is one of several states contributing custodial assets to the program. According to Crane, they will only be required to make the machines available. The federal government will coordinate the shipment and transport of the equipment to the Ukrainian army in the coming days.